I followed Harmony into the castle as quickly as I could, but it was hard to catch up to his long strides. And when I say I followed him I mean Leillan picked me up bridal style and chased after him. I don't think she even noticed my extra weight much since she was more focused on what Harmony was whispering to Nikae. It was hard to make out a single word they were quietly mumbling to each other. When Leillan began to walk after my already pounding headache got worse. I didn't say anything though since I knew Leillan well enough to know when she was determined to eavesdrop or figure something out; nothing was stopping her. When she creased her brows together in determination, you knew whatever you were going to do to stop her would be powerless. So I just wrapped my arms tighter around her neck and shut my eyes. 

 "Leillan I will get you a maid to bring you to the doctor's station" Harmony's deep tone seemed more clear now that my eyes were shut. His words more pronounced and echoed through my mind for a few lingering seconds. 

"Tell me what is going on with the Vinick kingy, I didn't come here so you could hide plans from us," her tone was sharp, and I could feel her impatientness. I think Harmony must've stopped walking because I thought Leillan come to an abrupt halt. 

"Leillan please just take Cyra to the doctor. She is obviously in pain could be very hurt. We will all talk afterward."

Leillan sighed as if she had been defeated. Her arms locked tighter around me as she turned and walked away from Harmony. I assumed she followed someone to bring me to the doctor's station. 

"I'm sorry Cyra. I didn't mean to..." she seemed like she didn't know what to say, but she didn't need to. 

"It's okay; honestly I'm not even hurt I just wanted you to carry me." I could oddly sense the smile that curled up onto her face. 

"You're lucky. I'm such a saint or else I would drop you." I could heat the anger she had pent up from earlier drifting away.

"Aw yes, how blessed I am to have you in my life," I opened my eyes for a moment to look up at her, but I was welcomed with a blurry swirling image of Leillan. So I quickly closed them once again. But the sound of her laughing made me feel better. 

We made it to the doctor quickly, and Leillan thanked the nurse at least a thousand times. The doctor worked instantly to stitch up my forehead. They placed some sort of cream to numb the pain, but the pulling sensation was something that made my skin crawl. So instead I tried to focus on how much cleaner the doctor's office was compared to the one in Recline. How they had trained doctors, they were even more medically advanced than I was afraid Recline would ever be. They told me I had a mild concussion and to rest as much as possible. I could tell Leillan was anxious to get to the meeting with Harmony by the way her foot was rapidly tapping against the floor. She even half dragged me out of the room the moment the medication the doctor prescribed to me was in the palm of my hand. 

"Hey, careful! I am injured!" I said in over dramatic tone.

"Didn't you think Harmony's magic back there was reckless? Like he could've seriously hurt you.." she began to walk a bit faster. 

"I am sure he was doing his best not to try to hurt us but what else could he have done." I saw Leillan's cheeks go a faded pink color.

"He could have picked a better route in a less open area and maybe we would've been seen!" I didn't say anything else since my head was in too much pain to argue. I followed her closely since she had a better idea of where we were going than I did. The hall's walls were each a different color, in one section it would be a light teal color then you would walk into the next area, and it was a passionate red color though, the floors stayed a constant white marble throughout the whole castle. When I looked up at the high ceiling that seemed to reach up for miles they were once again made out of glass.

"Do you think thunderstorms would be terrifying or beautiful?" I asked Leillan. She seemed confused by my question at first before looking up.

"Why not both."

"What do you mean," I said trying to keep up with her strides. 

"Why can't something be both terrifying and beautiful? Think of Roses', they are beautiful and even loved by most. Yet, you are scared of the thrones." she had a point, and the smug smirk she had on her face told me she knew that too. 

We walked past a large arc way that had it's doors wide open. We heard voices arguing inside so Leillan, and I guessed it would be the best place to find Harmony. Inside this spacious, magnificent room stood Harmony at a high white marble pedestal, people were surrounding him in a large circle. It was seemed very intimidating, watching them stare down at Harmony from their black stained wooden tables and plush green velvet chairs that seemed big enough for three people yet only one occupied each one. There were 14 people in total, and all their head turned to look at us as if they were hungry sharks ready to attack. Even though all their appearances were exotic with their various hair colors and outfits that were quite eye-catching. There was a girl that had spiked up green hair and a dress that consumed her like a marshmallow, a guy who wore half a shirt that seemed to made out of metal and rope, and the most bazaar person there was someone who had half her hair shaven and the other was touching the floor in length and a deep purple. Her eyes were completely yellow, and she wore a clear shirt with a light blue dress underneath. I felt like I was the one that was the strange one in the room with my beige, worn down brown boots and bonnet. I walked in front of Leillan and quickly over to Harmony, but I was stopped halfway by two guards that were twice my height. 

Their armor was made out of bright silver metal but still seemed easy to move in. I could see their eyes glaring down at us through large slits by their eyes. 

"Let them come up they are my company I was just talking about," Harmony didn't even look at us as he spoke. He stared straight ahead at one man in particular. He wore large glasses and deep wrinkles, but I am guessing his bright unnatural orange hair was supposed to distract you from that.

"As I was saying" Harmony cleared his throat. "These girls are part of our rebellion against the Vinick's; we need their help more than ever."

"Why? After all these years of never reaching out, why must we need these children" a woman from behind us with a scratchy voice said. 

"The Vinick only seems to be getting larger, just a few miles from our kingdom we were attacked. We all know the Vinick are not know for only attacking once. They will keep coming and keep attacking until we are nothing." Harmony's voice was strong and projected across the room. I could see from the faces around the room; most of them seemed to be on his side — all except the orange haired man. 

"Let us take a vote. Is this not what we are here for your highness. For a vote?" The orange haired man seemed almost cynical. As he watched Leillan and me, he puckered out his lips as if he had eaten something sour.

"Yes, Sir Colway lets take a vote. All in favor of adding these girls to our rebellion that needs people." there Harmony went again, having a stare off with Sir Colway. 

Slowly but surely one hand after another begun to rise, all except Colway and scratchy voice lady. 

"Looks like Lady Enaye and Lady Tolon are now part of our rebellion, guards if you may show them to their rooms-" Colways stopped Harmony with the sound of him clearing his throat. 

"If they are going to stay part of this rebellion they must do something FOR the rebellion," Colway stood up from his seat, "I think we can all agree we do not have room here for freeloaders." At this point, I felt it necessary to hold Leillan's hand as if to remind her not to jump at the old man. I looked up at her to see her cheeks were as red as her face. It occurred to me that I had to be the calm on here. Both of us losing our temper would only lead to bad things for us. It also dawned on me that Leillan is always coming to my defense. Saving me from the things that can hurt me, even if she gets injured. She was always there as my support and hero yet I have not done anything for her. 

"I have a suggestion for one of them to step up and provide some valuable insight for the rebellion." He looked around the room to see who was paid attention to him. "The new king will be crowned soon, so that means they will be switching out their servants as they always do during reign changes. I suggest one of them goes and poses as a maid for the King and spies on him." Harmony looked over at us; something flashed behind his eyes. It wasn't doubt but regret. Because he knew and everyone knew that was a good idea. Getting information from the King as a maid; someone people of power neglected the most, was a brilliant idea. 

I stepped forward. "I'll do it," my voice was clear and loud; a bit shaky but it turned heads to me. "I have years of maids experience, and I can keep my composure better than most" I balled my hand into a tight fist as if that could push my confidence. 

Leillan grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back a bit " Cyra you can't do that!" she mumbled in my ear. Her face was near mine, so close I could see every line of worry on her face, her quivering lip, and her eyes that were moving over mine quickly. 

"Tell them you are joking and I will go instead."

"Is there a problem girls?" Another man from across the room that I couldn't see asked 

"Yes-" I stopped her before she could even start her sentence, her voice fading. 

"No, I will go. When do I depart for Vinick." 

I spent the rest of that night in my room. It was a large room, too huge for me. My room was less than half its size, and I shared it with my two brothers. This room had a three-level crystal chandelier in the middle for the ceiling. The bed had a substantial white canopy hanging over it with lights sewed in. The bedding was white as well but had an ocean that seemed hand painted, and I felt like I could get lost in the number of pillows the occupied the bed. There was a large bookcase, two grey plush chair, a large dark wooden desk, and a mini garden that filled the rest of the room, 

I spent my time on the walkout balcony leaning against the railing that was hot from the sun beating down on it. I watched kids play games with their various powers. I watched a little boy shift the light around him the blind the boy flying above him so he could run away in their game of tag. A little girl completely changed shape so she would blend in with the lively green bush behind her. It was amazing to watch, but I mainly watched the sunset over the red sand as I thought about today's events. 

"You will leave in 8 days, the day right before he is crowned king," Colway said.

I thought about how hollow Harmony's face seemed. I guess the thought of his new friend going into enemy territory did scare him. How could he protect me if something happened? He couldn't. But more importantly, how would my mother react when she heard the news? I would imagine it would be an accurate representation of when a volcano erupts. I was stopped mid-thought by a knock at the door. I quickly walked across the room and to the door. I opened it to see Leillan standing there surprisingly. I was surprised since right after the meeting she stacked out of the room and refused to talk to anyone. She pushed past me and stood in the middle of the room. 

"Oh welcome Leillan, why don't you come in?" I said sarcastically in an attempt to joke around. 

"Cyra!" she snapped "Why would you do that? Volunteer to go over there! Y-you know what they do to traitors over there? They will kill you and not think twice" she was yelling at me, she has never yelled at me before. So I was awestruck, I simply stared at her before I could make out what she was saying.

"So what did you suggest I do? Let you risk your life?" I placed my hands on my hips.

"Yes! I would much rather risk it than to have you risk it." 

"You have always...always been my protector, you have always risked everything for me, and for no reason at all other than to me by my friend." 

"That's not the reason I do that-nevermind that's not important, pick a different time to be brave. Like when someone knocks over my food, you can fight them, and I will cheer you on! But not this Cyra." now she wasn't yelling. She was pleading. She walked over and sat on the edge of my bed. Looking up at me as if she was a wounded puppy. I walked over and kneeled in front of her. 

"Please don't go" she pleaded, her voice shaky and scared. "You already have a scar. You are already badass in my book" I put a hand on her knee.

"I need to go Leillan; it's not just about you. I came to this rebellion to make a difference. I will drive myself mad just sitting around here and waiting for something big to happen." Leillan reached down and twirled a few of my long raven curls around her finger. 

"Then pinky promise you will drop out when you sense even the slightest chance of something bad happening," it was the same promise I made my mother and looked where that got me. 

"I pinky promise" we laced pinkies, and she sadly smiled down at me. 

"Hey Cyra I have another request" I raised an eyebrow to show I was listening. 

"I can't sleep alone, can I stay in here" I sighed in relief. The thought of sleeping alone at least for tonight scared me. 

"Yes, you can."

"Good because you didn't have a choice, if you said no I was planning on sneaking in, in the middle of the night. I'm glad you chose the least creepy option." 

That night I didn't sleep. I just stared up at the light in the canopy that looked like stars in the dark room. Leillan leaned her head against my arm as if she was afraid I'd suddenly disappear before she woke up. Her soft sleeping breaths filled the room. Though I was too distracted by her words earlier. "They will kill you and not think twice."

{Hello guys! how you are all having a lovely day/night, Here is our chapter question: Who is your favorite character so far?}